The electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxi race is picking up pace. After a slow start to 2026, Archer Aviation (ACHR) and Joby Aviation (JOBY) are starting to show real progress. With both companies moving closer to launch, investors are now focused on who will get there first and which stock offers the better opportunity.
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Forget margin or options. Here's how the pros trade ACHRUsing TipRanks’ Stock Comparison Tool, we take a closer look at how Archer and Joby stack up today.
Archer Aviation (NYSE:ACHR) Stock
Archer is drawing interest as a potential recovery play, with the stock up over 18% over the past five days. The rebound comes after a weak start to 2026, when the stock fell about 21% year-to-date and slipped well below its $10 highs.
The company recently proposed shifting its legal base to Texas, where it plans to build a major hub. This move could lower costs over time. It has also made progress on the regulatory front, becoming the first eVTOL player to secure FAA acceptance for 100% of its “Means of Compliance” (MOC), a key step in the certification process. Joby, in comparison, has been stuck at around 97% on this step for a long time.
More importantly, Archer’s balance sheet remains a key strength. With around $2 billion in cash and an order backlog exceeding $6 billion, the company has a solid base as it works toward production. Recently, a top investor said it’s time to “double down” on Archer. He pointed to the company’s $2 billion in cash and $6 billion in orders as proof that the stock is a bargain right now.
Overall, Wall Street analysts remain highly optimistic about the company’s prospects. Based on six recent ratings, Archer Aviation boasts a “Strong Buy” consensus with an average ACHR stock price target of $13.20. This implies about 122% upside from the current price.
Joby Aviation (NYSE:JOBY) Stock
While Archer is ahead on regulatory progress, Joby is gaining attention as the technology leader in the eVTOL space. It is moving faster on actual flying and testing, with the stock up about 11% over the past five days.
The company is focusing not just on aircraft but also on the software needed to run a full air taxi network. On April 17, Joby partnered with Airspace Intelligence to use AI to manage city air traffic. This shows its push to handle large-scale operations in the future.
Joby is also ahead in flight testing. It is already flying its FAA-conforming aircraft (N547JX), built on its production line. The company is now logging “for-credit” flight hours with the FAA, which is a key step toward certification. In terms of commercialization, Joby is targeting a potential launch in Dubai by late 2026. If it meets this timeline, it could become the first company in the sector to generate real passenger revenue.
Overall, Wall Street is more cautious on the stock. Joby carries a “Hold” consensus rating from analysts, mainly due to its higher valuation, with a market cap of nearly $9 billion. The average stock price target for Joby is $13.25, suggesting a potential upside of 48% from the current level.
The Bottom Line
Archer Aviation currently stands out for its stronger upside potential of about 122% and better analyst support, driven by progress on certification and a solid financial base. Meanwhile, Joby continues to lead in flight testing and technology, but its higher valuation keeps analysts more cautious with a Hold rating.
Overall, Archer looks like the better near-term opportunity, while Joby remains a longer-term technology bet.